Debbie Burton

Deborah "Debbie" A Burton born Deborah A Brock (Feb. 10, 1976) grew up in Albany, Oregon and Crawfordsville, Oregon. She started her filmmaking career in 2017, at 41 years old. Debbie is an American actress, director, producer, camera operator and editor. Debbie's major acting role is as 'Debbie' in The Perfect Game Series. She is also the cinematographer and editor for All's Faire (located in Washington State) promotional and event videos. In addition, she has loved supporting local filmmakers and has been an extra for the Bollywood/Hollywood movie Silence shot in Washington State, an extra for Paranormal Investigators and an active member of local filmmaking groups. Growing up, Debbie loved school, she only read educational books or nonfiction, she watched the Nature Channel and Discovery. She thirst for knowledge, especially in Animal Science and Genetics. She even loved, and often asked for homework. She never had to study, due to her perfect photographic and situational memory. She was active in many 4-H projects, including Entomology, Horses, Rabbits, Forestry, even Public Presentations. She was elected the President of the club, and won many awards for her projects and leadership. She loves animals, she was always helping lost and injured animals of all kinds. All her pets were fed and cared for with her money she earned. Stray and injured animals (wild and domestic) would find her at home, or while she was riding her bike to go volunteer at the local Human Society. Her mom called her Debbie Dolittle, while others called her Snow White. She made a goal to own her first horse by age 16. She saved enough and achieved this goal. She bought 'Lady', a Tennessee Walker, as her first horse. Both her horse and her dog Misty were in the local news paper for National Pet Week, for their talents. At age 12, she played the Lamb role in Charlotte's Web in a college play! Debbie loved to sing as well. In college she took voice lessons in opera. This is where she discovered she is a MesoSarphro. But she didn't pursue her love of singing nor acting. She followed her love of animals and got an Associate's in Animal Science and Horse Training/Barn Management at LBCC. While her dream was to be a Veterinarian, instead she went to OSU to pursue her law degree and entered the Air Force ROTC, for the Jag Program. But she discovered she has asthma and wasn't able to complete the program. During the recession in 2005, Debbie got a job on the East Coast. While there she transferred to UMUC and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in pre-law, with hopes go on to law school to help low income people. Since law school requires students not to work while attending classes, Debbie decided to continue to work instead, as she loved her Software Assest Management/Software Licensing job. She also took a seasonal job as a Horse Ambulance Crew Member for the horse races. By this time, she had two horses that she trained for the show ring. Plus she flew back to Oregon at least once a month to see her three boys, and they come to the East for the summers. Life was sweet! Then the company had new management and it was just not the same. Debbie decided to quit her job and move back to Oregon. At 6 months pregnant with her fourth boy, she quit her job, packed a 24ft U-Haul and loaded her two Thoroughbreds up in a trailer and drove across the US. After a year of being in Oregon, as a single parent and struggling to get a good job, she moved back to the East Coast. She took a job as a school bus driver. She set a high score (100%) record on the CDL testing. She excelled at getting her own route in record time. And while she loved the job, it wasn't enough pay to be able to live and travel to see her other boys. She applied for jobs on the West Coast and got one in Washington State. So in 2012, once again packed up and drove back to the West. This time with no horses and with only what would fit in her station wagon. Debbie and her youngest, Elijah Burton, settled in and Debbie enjoyed her new Software Contracts job. She got remarried and life was going well. However Debbie's health was declining,they decided it would be best she quit her job. Debbie attempted to do work-from-home jobs, but due to her health those failed. This was a dark time for her. She saw doctor after doctor, had test after test. One test showed positive for Lyme. She was bitten many times by ticks on the East Coast, but doctors gave her antibiotics each time and sent her on her way. So this was a shock. The bad news was there's no real cure and the "possible help" was $700/month. So she had to walk away from any treatment and pray for the best. In 2017, on d&d game day her friends said "hey let's make a movie", everyone agreed and they set out to do just that. While preparing for this movie, many of the friends bailed. Debbie was determined to see it through. She quickly learned scripts, camera operation, directing , sound and act in the movie at the same time. Debbie and her husband took a year to location scout and write the scripts. The "movie" turned into 30 episodes. They now had to find new actors. One of the actors, Giovanny Vazquez, told Debbie about the Tacoma Filmmaker Facebook group, as well as others. This opened up a whole new world that Debbie had no idea was all around her. She found some awesome folks through these groups! And a year later, filming was complete. Debbie is now in the processes of editing this "movie". That is how Debbie Burton got her start in the film industry. Debbie's health continued to decline. In 2018, the Lyme progressed , she was diagnosed with Heart Failure and more. But Debbie is strong-willed and determined! Debbie never imaged she would be artistic and in the film industry, especially with disabilities, but she now has found her calling and loves what she does.